SNOWMASS SET FOR EARLY OPENING SAT 19/11/2011

SNOWMASS SET FOR EARLY OPENING SAT 19/11/2011
Photo: Jeremy Swanson

Sun 20 November 11

Snowmass to Open with 160 Acres of Terrain Including the Big Burn. The lifts will fire up at 9 a.m. this Saturday, November 19 as Snowmass opens for the season five days earlier than scheduled.

"Since making this announcement a week ago, the excitement meter has been in redlining around the valley," said Rich Burkley, vice president Mountain Operations. "People are fired up to get on the hill and the phones have been ringing off the hook."

Aspen Snowmass
Rider: James Woodward, Photo: Steve Dowle, WSG

The Village Express and Big Burn lifts will run accessing more than 3,200 vertical feet, 7 trails and 160 acres. The Sky Cab Gondola and the Ski School Magic Carpet will also be in operation. Sneaky's, Mick's Gully, Max Park, Lunchline, Upper Scooper, Hals and Fanny Hill all will open as it stands today, with more terrain to be added dependent on weather and snowfall. Lifts will run from 8:30 a.m.to 3:30 p.m.

The mountain will open with two terrain parks, one on Water Plant Flats with several jib and urban features and a jump on the Dawdler steeps. The Ullrhof and Up 4 Pizza will be open for dining. Sneaky's will be open for après ski with drink and food specials. The Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center will also be open. Discounted ski and snowboard lessons will also be available. Parking is free in Snowmass until Thanksgiving Day.

All Aspen/Snowmass season passes will be valid for the early opening. Lift tickets will be $59 for adults, $54 for youth/senior and $49 for children. Discounts are available for multi day tickets. Classic Pass extension days are $32 for adult passholders and $25 for children. Escape Pass validations are $32 adult, $25 youth/senior, $19 child and $15 for Silver Escape. Pricing is valid for November 19 - 23 only. Tickets, extensions and validations will not scan valid after November 23. The Aspen Mountain ticket office will have extended hours next week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to accommodate guests prior to the Thanksgiving opening of Aspen Mountain. On those days the ticket office will be open until 7 p.m.

Aspen Mountain will open to the public as scheduled on Thursday, November 24, with the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club benefit day on the 23rd. World Cup ski racing returns, with the world's fastest women skiers taking center stage on Aspen Mountain for the Nature Valley Aspen Winternational Audi FIS Alpine World Cup, November 26-27. The first Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert of the season takes place Saturday night, November 26 with Cowboy Mouth taking the stage at the base of Aspen Mountain.

Aspen Skiing Company operates the four mountains in the Aspen/Snowmass area - Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk - as well as the award-winning Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass. The area offers unparalleled nightlife and off-slope activities as well. Aspen/Snowmass is accessible by two of the most convenient airports in the mountains - Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) (3 miles from Aspen) and Eagle County Airport (EGE) (70 miles from Aspen). For more information on Aspen Skiing Company, please call 800-525-6200 or 970-925-1220, or visit the company's website at www.aspensnowmass.com.

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